"Each day, more folks are coming to the conclusion that I pose the biggest threat to Udall's re-election and represent America's best hope to retake the U.S. Senate," Hill wrote in one fundraising e-mail.

This from a 31-year-old state senator who took office only in January, and who admits he has a fair share of critics in his own party.

Hill's claims come as no surprise to fellow Colorado Springs Republican Larry Liston, who lost to Hill in last year's nasty GOP state Senate primary in El Paso County.

"There is nothing wrong with being ambitious, but then there's blind ambition, where you will say anything and do anything to move up and beyond," Liston said. "People say they can still feel Owen Hill's footprints on their shoulders and heads."

"Look, Ken Buck and a host other folks think they can sit back there and click their heels together three times and say 'Jobs. Jobs. Jobs.' and it's going to win an election for them," Hill said.

"And that's not the case. People are hurting. Our policies are, unfortunately, hurting the most needy among us. And Republicans aren't doing anything about it. It's about high time we recognize that real conservative values help people."

In separate fundraising e-mails, Hill said he learned about Udall's fears about his candidacy from two unnamed sources. One is "deep inside Mark Udall's operation," and the other is a "well-respected member" of the legislature, he said.

Udall's campaign manager, Adam Dunstone, laughed when asked if he was Hill's source. And he expressed confidence Udall would win a second term to the Senate.

"It doesn't matter who is crowned the Tea Party champion," Dunstone said. "We're not scared of any of them."

Hill was asked to assess his competition, starting with Baumgardner. "Randy who?" he said.

Buck? Hill pointed out that Buck lost the 2010 Senate race to Democrat Michael Bennet although it was a wave year for the GOP.

Buck's general consultant, Walt Klein, countered that when Buck announced last week he was running, Udall sent out e-mails asking for money.

That didn't happen when Hill got in the race in July.

"As somebody who lost his first state legislative race before winning on his second attempt, I think Hill should be a little more cautious about criticizing others who run again after losing the first time," Klein said.